The Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, is a dazzling stretch of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from mainland Mexico. This remarkable body of water offers a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
Langtang National Park lies just north of Kathmandu, yet it feels far removed from the city’s pace. As Nepal’s first Himalayan national park, it stretches from lush river valleys to high alpine ridges close to the Tibetan border. Snow-covered peaks such as Langtang Lirung rise above forests of oak, maple, and rhododendron, creating dramatic shifts in scenery over short distances.
Aquila Private Game Reserve is a wildlife reserve in South Africa’s Western Cape province, located near Touws River, approximately two hours by road from Cape Town. Set within the semi-arid landscapes of the Karoo, the reserve covers roughly 10,000 hectares of mountains, valleys, open plains and scrubland.
Naboisho Conservancy is a community-owned wildlife conservation area bordering Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok County. The conservancy protects open savanna, grasslands, acacia woodland, and seasonal rivers that provide habitat for a wide range of wildlife. It was established through agreements between local Maasai landowners and conservation partners, creating a model in which tourism revenue supports communities while land is maintained for wildlife.
The Outer Hebrides form a long chain of more than 70 islands off Scotland’s northwest coast, stretching from Lewis and Harris through the Uists to Barra and Vatersay. The islands are linked by ferries, bridges, and causeways, but each has a distinct landscape and community character. Stornoway on Lewis is the principal town and a center for local administration, arts, and commerce.
Photo Credit: Photo by Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa on Unsplash
Doubtful Fjord (Doubtful Sound) is a large fjord in southwestern New Zealand, in the same region as the smaller but better known Milford Sound. It is home to an unusually large population of bottlenose dolphins, as well as a variety of birds, fur seals, penguins, and often even humpback whales.
Unlike Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound is inaccessible by road, so boat cruises are the only transportation available to visitors. Day trips operate out of the small nearby town, Manapouri.
Other Popular Destinations in New Zealand
Queenstown
This beautiful resort town has a little something for everyone! Whether you are into skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, or mountain biking there is no end to the year around adventure sports you can take advantage of. If you love wine, Queenstown lies close to the center of a small wine producing region, including The Two Paddocks vineyard which is owned by actor Sam Neill.
Auckland
A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone.